All You Need to Know About a Root Canal Treatment
If you have visited the dentist recently, and they suggested root canal therapy in Bay City, TX, you are not alone. You might be wondering what this is and if it Is necessary for treating your teeth. Below, we will help explain what a root canal is and how to prepare for the procedure.
What is a Root Canal?
A root canal is a dental procedure to remove the pulp (nerve and blood vessels) and any diseased tissue from the roots of a tooth. The procedure is performed by removing the tooth’s pulp chamber and shaping it to ensure that no remaining tissues can cause damage.
Root canals are typically painless, but they do cause discomfort during recovery time.
What Causes Root Canal Infections?
Root canal infections are caused by bacteria that get into the pulp of the tooth. The infections are also likely to happen when you have had invasive dental procedures on the teeth.
What Are the Root Canal Infection Symptoms?
Several symptoms can indicate that you need a root canal:
- Pain when chewing and biting
- Lingering sensitivity
- Pimple on the gums
- Swollen and darkening gums
What Happens During a Root Canal Procedure?
During a root canal treatment procedure, our dentist in Matagorda will make an opening from the back of your tooth to access some of the nerve endings in your tooth. After this, they will use instruments to remove any dead tissue, bacteria, or other foreign material that might be inside the tooth.
Next, they will slowly fill up the hollow space with an inert substance called gutta-percha which helps to stabilize and protect the exposed nerves and keeps them from being damaged by outside elements such as bacteria.
Once this is done, the dentist will seal off your tooth with either wax or composite resin. A temporary filling is also used to seal the teeth as you wait for the dental crown.
What to Expect After Your Root Canal Procedure Has Been Completed?
Root canal surgery is a procedure that will help you eliminate the infection and pain in your tooth. Once the infection and pain have been eliminated, you should expect some recovery time, as well as a return to normal activities.
Routine recovery from root canal surgery includes:
- Resting your mouth at night with an ice pack for 30 minutes
- Avoiding brushing your teeth too hard
- Most people only need to stay at home for 1-2 days and resume their normal routine as soon as possible.
- During your recovery period, you may experience some sensitivity or numbness in the tooth’s surrounding area.
Ways to Help with Pain Management After your Root Canal Recovery
After a root canal, it is important to eat a soft diet until the pain has subsided. This will help to ensure that your mouth will heal as quickly as possible. Eat soft and less chewy foods, such as applesauce, yogurt, eggs, and fish. It is also important to avoid hard or hot foods, which might lead to more pain and discomfort. Some dent
There are many ways to help with pain management after your root canal treatment. You can apply ice to the area, use an oral irrigator, or take medication. The best option is to make sure you don’t take pain medications for longer than three days at a time.
Also, avoid hot or cold beverages including, caffeinated coffee and tea.
What Are the Root Canal Complications?
Root canal treatment is a common and safe procedure for treating diseases and infections in the root of the tooth. However, reinfections can occur, and the likely reasons for this include:
- Multiple root canals that go undetected
- Undetected cracks in the tooth
- A problem with dental crowns can allow bacteria
- Breakdown of the inner sealing material, increasing the risk of reinfection
A dentist near you may recommend endodontic retreatment. However, at times you may need surgery to remove the teeth.
How to Prevent a Root Canal Infection?
Root canal infections are not uncommon in the dental field. They are caused by bacteria that enter through the root of the tooth. There are different ways to prevent them, including eating a healthy diet, brushing teeth twice a day, and flossing. Also, get a regular dental assessment and cleaning to keep the teeth and gums healthy.
Schedule an Appointment
Visit Dr. Teeth Dental Care for more information about root canal treatment and what you can expect.